In a clear signal of the growing market for gluten-free foods, Chex Cereal announced recently that it has changed the ingredients in six of its eight products so that they no longer contain gluten. Rice, Corn, Honey Nut, Chocolate, Cinnamon and Strawberry Chex will now be gluten-free, providing a host of tasty, name-brand options for the GF consumer. It’s rare for a big corporation like General Mills to mess with product formulas to cater to the GF community – and it’s doubly rare for the same company to do it TWICE in one year, as General Mills has also announced its new GF line of Betty Crocker baking mixes.

A customer service representative at General Mills said the company removed barley malt from its ingredients list in order to make the product gluten-free. The representative wasn’t aware of anything that’s been added to the ingredients list, but one blog has said that molasses will be added as a substitute.

The General Mills representative emphasized that this change is recent and cautioned consumers to check the box for the words “Gluten-Free” which should be prominently displayed across the front. Within the next month, the company says, most stores should be carrying the new gluten-free version. The only brands of Chex that are not gluten-free are the Wheat and Multibran varieties.

So what’s your take on this? Do you think more large companies will start offering GF options? Let us know!

We can — and we did, in The Essential Gluten-Free Grocery Guide. Our compact, user-friendly grocery guide will help you shop with confidence. We’ve included products from popular name brands and store brands. Having a barbeque? Turn to our "hot dog" section and find out which brands, like Oscar Mayer and Hormel, are gluten-free. Craving gluten-free crackers? We’ve got over 76 types, some of which may surprise you. Stop being stumped with the newest Essential Gluten-Free Grocery Guide.

There are 7 comments…

Honey Nut is my favorite flavor, but it’s not carried by the store where I shop. When I make special trips for Thai Kitchen rice at Shaw’s a ways away (way cheaper there), I stock up on the Honey Nut Chex.

General Mills is a large company and smaller markets do take longer to get new items. This is because there are huge warehouses full of the older products they need to sell before they can introduce the new ones. It’s very frustrating but they are on the way!

I use the new Chex to make Chex party mix and of course, no one can tell the difference between it and the gluten version! I use both Rice and Corn Chex and pretzels by Glutino. You would need to sub something for the butter if you’re dairy free. Take this mix to a holiday party and watch it vanish!

So very thankful for gluten-free chex! Wish the chocolate and cinnamon were peanut free as well. Unable to get gluten-free at Sam’s in Norman, OK. Wish there were a gluten-free, and peanut-free Chex Mix at least during Christmas season. Honey-nut Chex is the bomb. Just wish rice milk were less expensive! (With coconut milk, it tastes like ice cream to me.) Go General Mills! As a mom of 4 children that are peanut, gluten, and dairy free (1 being a baby) I am TREMENDOUSLY thankful! Teachers and other moms are happy to be able to find something to feed our kids too!